Nestled within the rugged embrace of mountains, a collection of awe-inspiring structures stands as a testament to human ingenuity and reverence for the natural world. From ancient monasteries to modern marvels, these architectural wonders have been harmoniously integrated into the slopes of mountains, creating breathtaking and culturally significant landmarks. In this exploration, we embark on […]
Category: Discovery
The Giant Groundsels of Mount Kilimanjaro
Giant Groundsels, scientifically known as Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, are remarkable prehistoric plants that inhabit the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. These majestic plants belong to the order Asterales, which also includes daisies and sunflowers, and are part of the family Asteraceae. The Giant Groundsels found on Mount Kilimanjaro are descendants of a common groundsel ancestor, […]
Meet the Pom Pom Crab
The Pom Pom Crab, also known as the Soft Coral Crab, is a species of small marine crab that belongs to the family Xanthidae. They are found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, particularly around the coral reefs. One of the most distinctive features of the Pom Pom Crab is the two sea […]
Echium Wildpretii: The Tower of Jewels of Mount Teide
If you’ve ever visited the Canary Islands, you might have come across a strikingly beautiful plant with a tall, red inflorescence. This is Echium wildpretii, a species of flowering plant endemic to the islands that has become an icon of the subalpine zone of Mount Teide, Tenerife’s volcanic mountain. Echium wildpretii is part of the […]
Make a Wish Upon the Stars at Japan’s Hoshizuna-no-Hama Beach
Hoshizuna-no-Hama beach is a beautiful natural wonder located on Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The beach is known for its unique star-shaped sand, which is made up of the shells of tiny marine organisms called Foraminifera. These organisms have a star-like shape, which gives the sand its distinctive appearance (called Baclogypsina sphaerulata). The beach […]
The Fascinating Story of the Lyrebird that Mimicked a Farmer’s Flute
In 1969, Australian park ranger Neville Fenton recorded an unusual song in Sherbrooke Forest near Melbourne. The song sounded like a flute being played by a human, but upon investigation, Fenton discovered that it was actually a lyrebird mimicking the sound. This discovery led to an incredible story about the lyrebird’s ability to mimic sounds. […]
The Baobab Tree: Africa’s Iconic Tree and Its Lesser-Known Secrets
The baobab tree, also known as Adansonia, is a unique and fascinating tree that is native to the African continent. These iconic trees can be found in various parts of Africa, including Madagascar, Senegal, Tanzania, and Botswana, among others. The baobab tree is known for its distinctive appearance, with a large, swollen trunk and branches […]
Capturing Light: How the Human Eye and Black Holes Are Alike
The human eye and black holes are two vastly contrasting objects that surprisingly share a common trait: their ability to absorb light. The human eye is a marvel of nature, capturing and decoding light to give us a window into the world around us, while black holes are enigmatic regions of space where not even […]
Memory Without a Brain? Sliced-Off Flatworm Heads Retain Memories, Say Biologists
Planarian flatworms are small, flat-bodied freshwater invertebrates known for their remarkable regenerative abilities. With a distinctive elongated body shape covered in cilia, these animals range in size from just a few millimeters to several centimeters in length. They have a simple nervous system, primitive “eyespots,” and a single opening that serves as both a mouth […]
The Mighty Goliath Tigerfish: Taking Down Crocodiles
The Goliath Tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath) is a large, predatory freshwater fish that is native to the Congo River Basin in Central Africa. It is considered one of the top predators in its environment and is known for its aggressive and predatory nature. In terms of size, the Goliath Tigerfish can grow up to five feet […]